Myopa vesiculosa

Members of Conopidae are recognisable by their stout build, broad head, and posture where the abdomen partially curves under. Specific identification of Myopa vesiculosa requires examination of wing venation, head structure, and other morphological details; the genus is noted for identification difficulties.

Recorded from Vermont and other locations in the United States.

Conopidae are internal parasites of bees and wasps. Females intercept hosts in flight and oviposit eggs between segments of the host's abdomen.

Females actively pursue hosts in flight to oviposit; this interception behavior has led to the common name 'beegrabbers' for the family.

Internal parasitoid of bees and wasps (Hymenoptera).

• Myopa tessellatipennisBoth are members of genus Myopa with similar parasitoid biology and stout Conopid morphology; distinguished by wing pattern and other structural features.
• Sicus ferrugineusBoth are Conopidae and internal parasitoids of Hymenoptera, but Sicus has a more elongated body form and different host associations.
• Conops quadrifasciatusBoth are Conopidae with similar parasitoid lifestyle; Conops species often show more distinct abdominal banding and different proportions.

• parasitoid
• internal parasite
• bee parasite
• wasp parasite
• Hymenoptera host
• Conopidae
• thick-headed fly
• North America

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Northern Ireland, invertebrate finds in review 2023 - Buglife Blog - Buglife